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Ottawa Travel Guide

The capital of Canada is located on the south bank of the Ottawa
River, opposite the French-speaking city of Gatineau across the
water in the neighbouring province of Quebec. It's location on the
border puts it in the unique position of being truly multicultural
and bilingual, with a harmonious blend of French and English
culture.

Ottawa had humble beginnings as a small lumber town until Queen
Victoria designated it the capital of Canada in 1857. Since then it
has grown into a modern, cosmopolitan city, though it is often
overlooked in comparison to its larger, more glamorous neighbours,
Toronto and Montreal. Its main landmark is the 302ft (92m) high
Peace Tower. The tower surmounts the imposing Parliament Buildings,
which stand in Gothic splendour at the junction of the Ottawa,
Rideau and Gatineau rivers.

The city has a network of waterways and canals that link it to
Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. The historic Rideau Canal is used
for boating in summer, and for ice sculpting and skating in winter,
by locals and visitors alike. The parliament buildings and other
architectural sites have an old-world European charm, and Ottawa
has numerous top class museums and galleries, and the National Arts
Center, which houses an opera company, theatres, studios and
restaurants.

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